In a precarious global environment, B.C. is experiencing sustained economic growth. The unemployment rate is an impressive 5.8 per cent, the lowest in the country, according to Statistics Canada. And a recent Conference Board of Canada report forecasts economic growth in B.C. to be three per cent in both 2016 and 2017, leading all other provinces.

Our thriving economy is due in part to our diversified export economy. But I believe we must give special credit to our rapidly growing technology industry that annually generates $23 billion in revenue, contributes $13.9 to our GDP and employs more people than mining, forestry and oil and gas combined.

For now, the headlines are positive. Yet if we want to maintain our leadership position in Canada and prosper on a global level, we must recognize that success doesn’t happen by accident. To secure our economic future, I believe we must make a reasoned, yet urgent commitment: every person, every company and every industry must adopt an innovation mindset. And we’ve got to do it now.